links

title

Pachter's Pointers:
Business Etiquette Tips & Career Suggestions

10.14.2013

Top 10 Business Clothing Mistakes

I am often asked about what professionals should wear to work. The questions – from bosses, employees and even reporters – focus on how employees should dress in today’s casual workplace, indicating that years after the “rules” were relaxed, many are still confused.

The key point I always stress, whether I am discussing a young man getting ready to interview for his first job or a senior director courting a new client, is that your clothing choices can enhance your reputation or detract from your credibility.

I also frequently mention the items from my list of Top 10 Business Clothing Mistakes. The list is based on what I have seen in the workplace as well as suggestions from my seminar participants, and features what to avoid:

1. Dressing in clothes that do not fit. If your clothes are too big, you look like a little kid in your big brother’s or sister’s clothing. If your clothing is too tight, you could be over-emphasizing body parts. When in doubt, both men and women should take their clothes to a tailor for a professional fitting.

2. Wearing skirts that are too short. Short skirts draw attention to your legs. If you sit down when wearing a short skirt, you expose even more leg. Is that where you want people to look? Plus, you can find yourself labeled with a trivializing nickname: A woman named Susan wore very short skirts and her coworkers referred to her as “Suzy Short Skirt.”

3. Wearing short socks. Short socks, or socks that fall down, expose skin and hairy legs on men when they sit and/or cross their legs. It is distracting and not an attractive look.

4. Showing cleavage. Sexy is not a corporate look. Low-cut tops that expose cleavage draw attention to this body part and are not appropriate in the office. People tell me that they don’t know where to look when conversing with women dressed this way.

5. Wearing a bikini when at a pool with business associates. Whether you are going on an award cruise or attending the company picnic, it’s not the time to expose everything! This applies to both men and women.

6. Drawing attention to your clothing because of your color choices. Do you want to be remembered for what you said or for what you wore? I am NOT saying don’t wear color – just choose color carefully. A man asked my opinion of the bright green pants he wore. I replied that since his slacks were not typical corporate clothing, he would probably be labeled as “the man in green pants.”

7. Wearing T-shirts, shirts or ties with inappropriate sayings, pictures or childish designs. A job candidate wore a shirt printed with small teddy bears to an interview. He didn’t get the job. Following the interview, all the interviewers talked about was his shirt.

8. Ignoring your shoes. People notice shoes. Your shoes should be clean, polished, and in good condition. This shows that you are paying attention to the details.

9. Dressing inappropriately for business social events. The company holiday party, conferences, or dinner at the boss’s house are still business events, and your clothing choices matter.

10. Ignoring your grooming. Clothes need to be clean and pressed. Do not have chipped nail polish or nose hairs that need to be clipped. They become distractions.

From a reader:A person should never let their clothing wear them. They should always look as though they are wearing the clothing, because it is the person who is important not the outfit. Likewise, a well-fitted outfit of course will look more natural on the person than an outfit that is too small or too large, too long or too short.

Another clothing mistake is that in business, you should never be showing too much skin because it is a distraction. For instance a short sleeve dress is more professional looking than a sleeveless dress. Nor would the outfit have an open back or décolletage. Open-toe shoes are not business-like.

Well-identified top ten. Agree with all the comments. As much as we would like everyone in the corporate world to look professional in dress, sadly have noticed a gradual decline in this area and it is increasingly only evident in professions that require a uniform.

Even top executives ignore the basic dress code and of course with a lot of the corporate world made up of the younger generation "dress-down" Fridays has become the norm for all days and if you walk into these corporates on a Friday you would see everything short of a bikini .....

Classicpolo is one of the best brands for exclusive collections . you can Buy shirts online, buy t-shirts online ,buy formal shirts online from our store @classicpolos.com. we have widest range of collections. you can choose the best pants . Buy pants online and Buy trousers online from the store at best priceBuy Trousers online

Classicpolo is one of the best brands for exclusive collections . you can Buy shirts online, buy t-shirts online ,buy formal shirts online from our store @classicpolos.com. we have widest range of collections. you can choose the best pants . Buy pants online and Buy trousers online from the store at best priceBuy pants online

Classicpolo is one of the best brands for exclusive collections . you can Buy shirts online, buy t-shirts online ,buy formal shirts online from our store @classicpolos.com. we have widest range of collections. you can choose the best pants . Buy pants online and Buy trousers online from the store at best price Buy formal shirts online

Buy T-shirts onlineClassicpolo is one of the best brands for exclusive collections . you can Buy shirts online, buy t-shirts online ,buy formal shirts online from our store @classicpolos.com. we have widest range of collections. you can choose the best pants . Buy pants online and Buy trousers online from the store at best price

Classicpolo is one of the best brands for exclusive collections . you can Buy shirts online, buy t-shirts online ,buy formal shirts online from our store @classicpolos.com. we have widest range of collections. you can choose the best pants . Buy pants online and Buy trousers online from the store at best priceBuy Trousers online

Classicpolo is one of the best brands for exclusive collections . you can Buy shirts online, buy t-shirts online ,buy formal shirts online from our store @classicpolos.com. we have widest range of collections. you can choose the best pants . Buy pants online and Buy trousers online from the store at best price Buy pants online

Thanks for sharing up. I am really very impressed as well as benefited by knowing these top 10 business clothing mistakes and I hope that from now I will able to avoid in such mistakes for sure and sure. So thanks dude :)

really nice piece of information given about mistakes in formal clothing so for that you have to buy proper formal clothes so and it's very important to have a proper trouser for a shirts so Buy Formal Pants Online .

http://www.fancy-pants-fashions.com/privacy-declaration/ We are thankful for the time and care you took in creating this post!...... clearly a very useful site! If I may ask, could you venture a look at my post... we totally appreciate your time in helping us = )

Business accessories can be the solution to your business issues. Issues like scheduling, organization, presentation, and travel all can be solved with simple business accessories. Such small items can make a world of difference in your business.business accessories

It's a different thing that whether you have money or not, but you must look good. This is the first thing in any business. People will only care if you look that much confident and show some positive attitude. Clothing mistakes can ruin your business plan and cut short your client list. To impress a client, you don't need an extraordinary product; you just need full of confidence in yourself whatever product you want to sell in market. And if you're perfectly clothed, it will boost your confidence a lot. Business Coach

The numbers additionally demonstrate that the organization is client situated and in this manner, clients will probably call frequently making an enduring relationship and dependability with the organization. C0800 business lines

The Essentials of Business Etiquette: How to Greet, Eat and Tweet Your Way to Success

Free Report

About Barbara

Author of 11 business etiquette and communication books, Barbara Pachter is a leader in the field, with over 20 years experience as a trainer and coach.

She has given more than 2,500 presentations throughout the world and won numerous awards, including “Best 50 Women in Business in New Jersey.” Her books have been translated into 11 languages.
Pachter is also adjunct faculty in the School of Business, Rutgers University.

She is founder of Pachter & Associates, a business etiquette and communications training company. Her clients range from Chrysler and Microsoft to Pfizer, Cisco and Campbell Soup.

For more information on Barbara and Pachter & Associates, please visit www.pachter.com or call 856.751.6141.